Compact disk storage case

ABSTRACT

This invention is four-millimeter thick one-piece compact disk storage case that can be mounted into a ringed binder type storage device. This case provides rigid dust free protection for a compact disk. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. 37 CFR 1.72(b).

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The invention is a compact disk storage case. The compact disk storage case includes a frame. The frame has an upper lid and a lower lid. The upper lid has an upper surface, a lower surface, a first predetermined thickness and a perimeter edge. The lower lid has an upper surface, a lower surface, a second predetermined thickness and a CD recess. The CD recess has a first predetermined width and a first predetermined depth. The upper lid is hingeably attached to the lower lid.

[0002] The lower lid has a means for attaching to the center aperture of a compact disk.

[0003] The frame has a means for snap-locking the lower lid to the upper lid to close-lock the frame.

[0004] The frame is sized so that a CD retention cavity is created when the upper lid is close-locked to the lower lid. The CD retention cavity is sized to retain a compact disk.

[0005] A compact disk retaining lip protrudes down from the lower surface of the upper lid a first predetermined distance. The compact disk retaining lip has a third predetermined thickness. The compact disk retaining lip is round and has an inner diameter of a first predetermined diameter. The first predetermined diameter is greater than the outer diameter of a standard 11.9 cm diameter compact disk. The compact disk retaining lip has a second predetermined diameter. The second predetermined diameter is equal to the sum of twice the third predetermined thickness and the first predetermined diameter.

[0006] A variation of the invention has the CD recess being round. The first predetermined width is greater than the third predetermined diameter.

[0007] Another variation of the invention has the first predetermined depth being greater than the sum of the first predetermined thickness and the first predetermined distance.

[0008] In yet other variations of the invention, the upper surface of the lower lid includes a number of means for access to grip a portion of the edge of a stored compact disk to facilitate its removal from the frame. Each means for access to grip a portion of the edge of the stored compact disk is a removal recess located in the upper surface of the lower lid. The removal recess has a second predetermined depth and a second predetermined width. The removal recess overlaps the CD recess. The second predetermined depth is at least equal to the first predetermined depth.

[0009] In further variations of the invention, a number of slotted holes are provided through the frame. The slotted holes are located outside of the CD retention cavity. The slotted holes are sized and located to facilitate installation of the frame into a ringed binder. The slotted holes are sized and located to facilitate installation of the frame into a standard sized metric ringed binder or a standard sized English system ringed binder.

[0010] In a few other variations of the invention, the frame can be transparent or opaque. The frame can be fabricated from styrene.

[0011] In still other variations of the invention, the upper surface of the upper lid is flush with the upper surface of the lower lid when employing the means for snap-locking the lower lid to the upper lid to close-lock the frame. When the upper lid is close-locked to the lower lid, the thickness of the frame is a fourth predetermined thickness. The fourth predetermined thickness is four millimeters or less thick. When the upper lid is close-locked to the lower lid, the width of the frame is a third predetermined width. The third predetermined width is 124.5 millimeters or less wide. When the upper lid is close-locked to the lower lid, the length of the frame is a first predetermined length. The first predetermined length is 132.8 millimeters or less long.

[0012] In yet further variations of the invention, the means for snap-locking includes a tab cantilevered outboard from the perimeter edge of the upper lid and a counterpart tab receptacle in the lower lid outside of the CD recess. The tab has a first end and a second end. The tab is snap-locked into the tab receptacle to close-lock the frame. The tab has a number of dome-shaped detents protruding from its first end and its second end. The tab receptacle has matched detent receptacles. The dome-shaped detents are aligned to snap-engage the matching detent receptacles in order to close-lock the frame.

[0013] In still further variations of the invention, the frame can be fabricated from one piece of material. The frame can be fabricated using injection molding. The frame can be fabricated using a milling process.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] The invention will be more fully understood by reference to the following drawings that are for illustrative purposes only:

[0015]FIG. 1 is an orthogonal view of an open compact disk storage case;

[0016]FIG. 2 is a top plan view of an closed compact disk storage case;

[0017]FIG. 3 is a side elevation view of an closed compact disk storage case;

[0018]FIG. 4 is a top plan view of an open compact disk storage case;

[0019]FIG. 5 is a side elevation view of an open compact disk storage case.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0020] The invention is a compact disk storage case 10. The compact disk storage case 10 includes a frame 14. The frame 14 has an upper lid 18 and a lower lid 22. The upper lid 18 has an upper surface 26, a lower surface 30, a first predetermined thickness and a perimeter edge 38. The lower lid 22 has an upper surface 42, a lower surface 46, a second predetermined thickness 50 and a CD recess 54. The CD recess 54 has a first predetermined width 58 and a first predetermined depth 62. The upper lid 18 is hingeably attached 34 to the lower lid 22.

[0021] The lower lid 22 has a means for attaching to the center aperture of a compact disk 66.

[0022] The frame 14 has a means for snap-locking 70 the lower lid 22 to the upper lid 18 to close-lock the frame 14.

[0023] The frame 14 is sized so that a CD retention cavity is created when the upper lid 18 is close-locked to the lower lid 22. The CD retention cavity is sized to retain a compact disk.

[0024] A compact disk retaining lip 78 protrudes down from the lower surface 30 of the upper lid 18 a first predetermined distance 82. The compact disk retaining lip 78 has a third predetermined thickness 86. The compact disk retaining lip 78 is round and has an inner diameter of a first predetermined diameter 90. The first predetermined diameter 90 is greater than the outer diameter of a standard 11.9 cm diameter compact disk. The compact disk retaining lip 90 has a second predetermined diameter 94. The second predetermined diameter 94 is equal to the sum of twice the third predetermined thickness 86 and the first predetermined diameter 90.

[0025] A variation of the invention has the CD recess 54 being round. The first predetermined width 58 is greater than the third predetermined diameter 94.

[0026] Another variation of the invention has the first predetermined depth 62 being greater than the sum of the first predetermined thickness and the first predetermined distance 82.

[0027] In yet other variations of the invention, the upper surface 42 of the lower lid 22 includes a number of means for access to grip 98 a portion of the edge of a stored compact disk to facilitate its removal from the frame 14. Each means for access to grip 98 a portion of the edge of the stored compact disk is a removal recess 102 located in the upper surface 42 of the lower lid 22. The removal recess 102 has a second predetermined depth 106 and a second predetermined width 110. The removal recess 102 overlaps the CD recess 54. The second predetermined depth 106 is at least equal to the first predetermined depth 62.

[0028] In further variations of the invention, a number of slotted holes 112 are provided through the frame 14. The slotted holes 112 are located outside of the CD retention cavity. The slotted holes 112 are sized and located to facilitate installation of the frame 14 into a ringed binder. The slotted holes 112 are sized and located to facilitate installation of the frame 14 into a standard sized metric ringed binder or a standard sized English system ringed binder.

[0029] In a few other variations of the invention, the frame 14 can be transparent or opaque. The frame 14 can be fabricated from styrene.

[0030] In still other variations of the invention, the upper surface 26 of the upper lid 18 is flush with the upper surface 42 of the lower lid 22 when employing the means for snap-locking 70 the lower lid 22 to the upper lid 18 to close-lock the frame 14. When the upper lid 18 is close-locked to the lower lid 22, the thickness of the frame 14 is a fourth predetermined thickness 114. The fourth predetermined thickness 114 is four millimeters or less thick. When the upper lid 18 is close-locked to the lower lid 22, the width of the frame 14 is a third predetermined width 118. The third predetermined width 118 is 124.5 millimeters or less wide. When the upper lid 18 is close-locked to the lower lid 22, the length of the frame 14 is a first predetermined length 122. The first predetermined length 122 is 132.8 millimeters or less long.

[0031] In yet further variations of the invention, the means for snap-locking 70 includes a tab 126 cantilevered outboard from the perimeter edge 38 of the upper lid 18 and a counterpart tab receptacle 130 in the lower lid 22 outside of the CD recess 54. The tab 126 has a first end 134 and a second end 138. The tab 126 is snap-locked into the tab receptacle 130 to close-lock the frame. The tab 126 has a number of dome-shaped detents protruding from its first end 134 and its second end 138. The tab receptacle 130 has matching detent receptacles. The dome-shaped detents are aligned to snap-engage the matching detent receptacles in order to close-lock the frame 14.

[0032] In still further variations of the invention, the frame 14 can be fabricated from one piece of material. The frame can be fabricated using injection molding. The frame 14 can be fabricated using a milling process. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A compact disk storage case comprising: a frame, said frame having an upper lid and a lower lid, said upper lid having an upper surface, a lower surface, a first predetermined thickness and a perimeter edge, said lower lid having an upper surface, a lower surface, a second predetermined thickness and a CD recess, said CD recess having a first predetermined width and a first predetermined depth, said upper lid being hingeably attached to said lower lid; said lower lid having a means for attaching to the center aperture of a compact disk; said frame having a means for snap-locking said lower lid to said upper lid to close-lock said frame; and said frame being sized such that a CD retention cavity being defined when said upper lid being close-locked to said lower lid, said CD retention cavity being sized to retain a compact disk.
 2. A compact disk storage case according to claim 1 further comprising a compact disk retaining lip, said compact disk retaining lip protruding down from said lower surface of said upper lid a first predetermined distance, said compact disk retaining lip having a third predetermined thickness.
 3. A compact disk storage case according to claim 2 wherein said compact disk retaining lip being round, said compact disk retaining lip having an inner diameter of a first predetermined diameter.
 4. A compact disk storage case according to claim 3 wherein said first predetermined diameter being greater than the outer diameter of a standard 11.9 cm diameter compact disk.
 5. A compact disk storage case according to claim 4 wherein said compact disk retaining lip having a second predetermined diameter.
 6. A compact disk storage case according to claim 5 wherein said second predetermined diameter being equal to the sum of twice said third predetermined thickness and said first predetermined diameter.
 7. A compact disk storage case according to claim 1 wherein said CD recess being round.
 8. A compact disk storage case according to claim 7 wherein said first predetermined width being greater than said third predetermined diameter.
 9. A compact disk storage case according to claim 1 wherein said first predetermined depth being greater than the sum of said first predetermined thickness and said first predetermined distance.
 10. A compact disk storage case according to claim 1 wherein said upper surface of said lower lid having a plurality of means for access to grip a portion of the edge of a stored compact disk to facilitate its removal from said frame.
 11. A compact disk storage case according to claim 10 wherein said plurality of means for access to grip a portion of the edge of the stored compact disk being a removal recess located in said upper surface of said lower lid, said removal recess being a second predetermined depth and a second predetermined width, said removal recess overlapping said CD recess.
 12. A compact disk storage case according to claim 11 wherein said second predetermined depth being at least equal to said first predetermined depth.
 13. A compact disk storage case according to claim 1 wherein a plurality of slotted holes are provided through said frame, said plurality of slotted holes being located outside of said CD retention cavity, said plurality of slotted holes being sized and located to facilitate installation of said frame into a ringed binder.
 14. A compact disk storage case according to claim 13 wherein said plurality of slotted holes being sized and located to facilitate installation of said frame into a standard sized metric ringed binder.
 15. A compact disk storage case according to claim 13 said plurality of slotted holes being sized and located to facilitate installation of said frame into a standard sized English system ringed binder.
 16. A compact disk storage case according to claim 1 wherein said frame being transparent.
 17. A compact disk storage case according to claim 1 wherein said frame being opaque.
 18. A compact disk storage case according to claim 1 wherein said frame being fabricated from styrene.
 19. A compact disk storage case according to claim 1 wherein said upper surface of said upper lid being flush with said upper surface of said lower lid when employing said means for snap-locking said lower lid to said upper lid to close-lock said frame.
 20. A compact disk storage case according to claim 19 wherein when said upper lid being close-locked to said lower lid said frame being a fourth predetermined thickness.
 21. A compact disk storage case according to claim 20 wherein said fourth predetermined thickness being four millimeters or less thick.
 22. A compact disk storage case according to claim 1 wherein said close-lock said frame being a third predetermined width.
 23. A compact disk storage case according to claim 22 wherein said third predetermined width being 124.5 millimeters or less wide.
 24. A compact disk storage case according to claim 1 wherein said close-lock said frame being a first predetermined length.
 25. A compact disk storage case according to claim 24 wherein said first predetermined length being 132.8 millimeters or less long.
 26. A compact disk storage case according to claim 1 wherein said means for snap-locking comprises a tab cantilevered outboard from said perimeter edge of said upper lid and a counterpart tab receptacle in said lower lid outside of said CD recess, said tab having a first end and a second end, said tab being snap-locked into said tab receptacle to close-lock said frame.
 27. A compact disk storage case according to claim 26 wherein said tab has a plurality of dome-shaped detents protruding on said first end and said second end of said tab, said tab receptacle has matching detent receptacles, said dome-shaped detents being aligned to snap-engage said matching detent receptacles to close-lock said frame.
 28. A compact disk storage case according to claim 1 wherein said frame being fabricated from one piece of material.
 29. A compact disk storage case according to claim 28 wherein said frame being fabricated using injection molding.
 30. A compact disk storage case according to claim 29 wherein said frame being fabricated using a milling process. 